A variety of activities are planned in Springfield to honor Martin Luther King Jr. Day.

The first is the annual MLK Day March on Monday, beginning at Mediacom Ice Park, 635 E. Trafficway St. Line-up at 8 a.m.; the march begins at 9 a.m. and ends at the Gillioz Theatre.

Following the march, there is a program at the Gillioz Theatre, said Cheryl Clay, president of the Springfield NAACP, which organizes both events.

“Our theme this year is ‘We stand up for justice,’”Clay said.

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Cheryl Clay, president of the Springfield NAACP(Photo11: Andrew Jansen/News-Leader)

At the Gillioz, the winner of the annual MLK Essay contest will be announced, there are different speakers and performances including the Bellatones, a group from Central High School.

“Then Dr. Richard Todd Payne will do a piece of the ‘I have a Dream' speech. Pastor T.J. Appleby is doing a piece of Dr. King’s entry into the civil rights, reflections on that,” Clay said.

Members of the NAACP are collecting new socks, hats and gloves to donate to the Springfield PTA Clothing Bank and Rare Breed. Donations can be dropped off at the ice park or the Gillioz.

“We invite everyone to come out and join us,” said Clay. “This will be a kickoff because 2018 is the 50th year since Dr. King’s assassination. We will be doing events throughout the year … which we will announce at the program.”

Then from noon to 4 p.m. Monday, at Juanita K Hammons Hall, 525 S. John Q. Hammons Parkway, is the Springfield Multicultural Festival, an annual performing arts and community resource expo presented by Unite of Southwest Missouri.

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Samuel Knox(Photo11: Christina Rea/For the News-Leader)

Samuel Knox, president and founder of Unite, said there are two main components: performance artists groups representing a variety of international and native cultures, and a community resource expo with exhibitors sharing information about employment opportunities, health care access, financial and educational services. Admission and parking are free.

Knox started the event more than 20 years ago as a way to value diversity in Springfield.

“We usually attract 40 different exhibitors,” he said. “We have a number of international students and some groups who have just moved to the area and are available for performances that represent the countries they are from. It has been a growing and a wonderful experience over the years.”

WANT TO GO?

The MLK March begins at 9 a.m. Monday (lineup at 8 a.m.) at Mediacom Ice Park, 635 E. Trafficway St. The march ends at the Gillioz Theatre, 325 Park Central East, which is when a celebration of Martin Luther King Jr. begins featuring a variety of speakers and musical performances. The march and programs are organized by the Springfield NAACP. Bring new socks, gloves or hats to benefit the Springfield PTA Clothing Bank or Rare Breed. Information: 417-873-6386.

From noon to 4 p.m. Monday is the 21st Annual Springfield Multicultural Festival at Juanita K. Hammons Hall, 525 S. John Q. Hammons Pkwy. This is organized by Unite of Southwest Missouri.

There are a variety of multicultural performances from 12:30-2:30 p.m., and an expo and resource fair going on the entire time. For more information, visit www.smfinfo.com